Today, in the middle of the SNV, we consider the quality and action of forgiveness. Whole books are available on this dynamic subject, because forgiveness is really a process, and for most of us, there is always more forgiveness work. One of the leading teachers in forgiveness work is Fr. William Meninger, a Trappist monk, scholar, and author. Fr. William sees the process in 5 stages: Claiming the hurt, guilt /self-blame, victimhood, anger, and wholeness. Fr. William points out, in his book, The Process of Forgiveness, that Christians are commanded to forgive. For example, in Romans 12, where Paul instructs us to “bless those who persecute you” and as far as possible, to “live at peace with everyone”. In Matthew 5, Jesus advises us to make peace with anyone with whom we are unreconciled, before we present our gifts to the Lord. That is how basic it is to do our best to forgive, and to live in harmony with all.

When you walk into a room, who else are you bringing with you, who doesn’t even know they are with you? When you hold hurts from the past, you are literally carrying the “hurters” with you wherever you go. Forgive them, forgive the events, and you will stop carrying the weight of all those people on your shoulders. And in your heart. Forgiveness will take you to your peace within.

Here is the AGNT contemplation for Day 29:

DAY 29 Feb. 27: The thought for today is FORGIVENESS. When we forgive, we do not condone hurtful behavior. When we realize that there is something within us that is more important than this hurtful experience, we are free to let go of the past and move on with our lives. In doing so, we open our hearts to the humanity of those we forgive.

As we forgive others, we are teaching the mind to respond with forgiveness everywhere, even to the misdeeds and mistakes of our own past. And if I have treated a particular person badly, even if I can no longer win that person’s forgiveness, I can still win the forgiveness of myself.

“The result of forgiveness is the stopping of the recycling of anger within ourselves and in the world. Peace will come to the world when each of us takes the responsibility of forgiving everyone, including ourselves, completely.”

—Gerald Jampolsky

Today: I am willing to let go of the past, and forgive those who have hurt me, and towards whom I feel anger. I will forgive myself too. Today, I will write a letter of forgiveness to someone (I do not have to mail it).

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● Kebba Buckley Button is the author of the 2013 book, Peace Within: Your Peaceful Inner Core (Second Edition). It’s a book to keep with you constantly, to quickly recharge your Peace Within, with quotes, photos, and poems that take you directly there! Kebba is a corporate stress management trainer, and she also has a holistic healing practice.

● Liked this article? Why not buy Kebba’s books? Just click the links!

Today is the 30th day of the AGNT Season for NonViolence (SNV). Today, we consider the quality ofmaking amends. If you have ever shouted at a small child, when you were having a bad day and they were doing nothing wrong, you know what it means to regret your actions. Most of us say to the small child, “I’m so sorry! I’m having a tough day, and I shouldn’t have yelled at you.” We look into their eyes for recognition and forgiveness. Small children are often surprisingly sophisticated, and they understand that we yelled, that they were innocent, that we are apologizing; and they forgive, whether they have the words or not. In apologizing and not doing it again, you are making amends. What if everyone always apologized for hurting someone else, and always meant it?

Here is AGNT’s meditation for Day 30:

DAY 30 Feb. 28: The thought for today is MAKING AMENDS. The other side of forgiveness is making amends, when it is you who has been – or needs to be – forgiven for hurt or wrongdoing you may have caused. As with forgiveness, the gift of making amends – to yourself and to whoever has been hurt or wronged – is revealed when it is given unconditionally from your heart. What would it be like if world leaders made amends?

“Making amends may seem like a bitter pill to swallow, but for those serious about recovery it can be great medicine for the spirit and soul.”

–Step 9 Forgiveness. The Twelve Steps

Today: As I interact with people today, I will reflect on whether there are ways I feel moved to make amends; I will let my heart gently guide me, as I recall each person’s unique ways of expressing his or her joys, fears and pains. I will be open to let my heart speak through words, actions, thoughts or prayers. I will offer a sincere apology to someone I may have hurt.

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● Kebba Buckley Button is a minister and the award-winning author of the 2012 book, Peace Within: Your Peaceful Inner Core (http://tinyurl.com/abd47jr), and Discover The Secret Energized You (http://tinyurl.com/b44v3br). She also has a natural healing and stress management practice and is a celebrated public speaker.

● This blog, Peaceful People, is the new home for Rev. Kebba’s articles and movie reviews about the SNV, nonviolence, peace within, and cultivating peace. Until 2/19/13, her SNV posts and peace movie reviews were at http://kebbabutton.wordpress.com, under the banner of UpBeat Living. Please enjoy those as time allows.

Today, in the middle of the SNV, we consider the quality and action of forgiveness. Whole books are available on this dynamic subject, because forgiveness is really a process, and for most of us, there is always more forgiveness work. One of the leading teachers in forgiveness work is Fr. William Meninger, a monk and scholar. Fr. William sees the process in 5 stages: Claiming the hurt, guilt /self-blame, victimhood, anger, and wholeness. Fr. William points out, in his book, The Process of Forgiveness, that Christians are commanded to forgive. For example, in Romans 12, where Paul instructs us to “bless those who persecute you” and as far as possible, to “live at peace with everyone”. In Matthew 5, Jesus advises us to make peace with anyone with whom we are unreconciled, before we present our gifts to the Lord. That is how basic it is to do our best to forgive, and to live in harmony with all.

Here is the AGNT meditation for Day 29:

DAY 29 Feb. 27: The thought for today is FORGIVENESS. When we forgive, we do not condone hurtful behavior. When we realize that there is something within us that is more important than this hurtful experience, we are free to let go of the past and move on with our lives. In doing so, we open our hearts to the humanity of those we forgive.

As we forgive others, we are teaching the mind to respond with forgiveness everywhere, even to the misdeeds and mistakes of our own past. And if I have treated a particular person badly, even if I can no longer win that person’s forgiveness, I can still win the forgiveness of myself.

“The result of forgiveness is the stopping of the recycling of anger within ourselves and in the world. Peace will come to the world when each of us takes the responsibility of forgiving everyone, including ourselves, completely.” –Gerald Jampolsky

Today: I am willing to let go of the past, and forgive those who have hurt me, and towards whom I feel anger. I will forgive myself too. Today, I will write a letter of forgiveness to someone (I do not have to mail it).

———————————————

● Kebba Buckley Button is a minister and the award-winning author of the 2012 book, Peace Within: Your Peaceful Inner Core (http://tinyurl.com/abd47jr), and Discover The Secret Energized You (http://tinyurl.com/b44v3br). She also has a natural healing and stress management practice and is a celebrated public speaker.

● This blog, Peaceful People, is the new home for Rev. Kebba’s articles and movie reviews about the SNV, nonviolence, peace within, and cultivating peace. Until 2/19/13, her SNV posts and peace movie reviews were at http://kebbabutton.wordpress.com, under the banner of UpBeat Living. Please enjoy those as time allows.